 Not only does electrical hazards training make good common sense, it's an OSHA requirement. In 1994-95 a new standard took effect. OSHA 29 CFR, part 1910.269, better known as the Vertical Standard, impacts the utility industry, including line clearance contractors, as well as all residential/commercial and municipal arborists who must come within 10 feet of an overhead electrical conductor to do their work.
 Arborists in California are governed by CalOSHA, which has a separate but very similar set of requirements.
The employer and the employee have certain responsibilities under OSHA: The employer's main obligation under this standard is to train employees appropriately.The employee must be able to identify energized wires and other electrical apparatuses proximate to trees, know the maximum nominal voltages, and the minimum distances to be maintained. When the arborist must work within ten feet of 750 volts or more, there must be a second trained arborist on the crew, in voice or visual communication with the worker exposed to the electrical hazard.
OSHA says that the employer shall establish rescue procedures and provide training in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and aerial rescue. It says that Red Cross or equivalent training shall be provided to at least two people on every crew of two or more. However, only one person on that crew must be certified if training of all employees is initiated within 90 days of hire.Federal OSHA stipulates that employees must be trained in work practices and safety procedures to perform their every day operations. That training must be documented, and be on-going. Training must establish employee proficiency in the work practices involved and show employees how to comply with OSHA 1910.269A critical point of the vertical standard that those who must comply should note: The standard requires that the employer self-certify that each employee has received the training required. Thus, the employer must verify and document the employee's proficiency.
Tree Care Industry Association's Electrical Hazards Awareness program, EHAP for short, provides an employee with the knowledge necessary to work around overhead conductors. EHAP is a correspondence course that can be administered by the employer or supervisor, or taken independently by the student. It's great training, but cannot replace the need for proper supervision and on-the-job skills development.
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